Editorial

 The changes this month extend to the Associate Editorship, which carries a particular responsibility for production of supplements. Since 1995, a series of handsome volumes, covering a wide range of topics, have emerged under the guiding hand of Professor Hans-Jürgen Reulen, adding much to the lustre of the journal. The appointment of Professor Hans-Jakob Steiger, also of the Munich Unit, to replace him will ensure continuity of responsibility for this aspect of the journal and I look forward to working with him on forthcoming volumes.

 The status of `Acta' as the official journal of the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies adds an important perspective to it's role and I likewise look forward to interaction with Professor Lobo Antunes and his fellow and future Officers of the Association in developing a mutual vision for the Journal's future.

 Looking ahead, the essential visions for `Acta' are clear. The aims must be to build on its present stature and to enhance its position as a journal in which Neurosurgical authors, throughout Europe and in all continents, desire to have work published, and which Neurosurgical readers wish to read. Original work of rigour and importance must be attracted and published alongside more didactic contributions, promoting the broad education of Neurosurgeons at all stages in their career.

 Medical publishing is facing great change and, to an incoming Editor, the prospects are both challenging and stimulating. Quality must be paramount. Authors can be assured that I am committed to working with the Editorial Board, referees and publication staff to provide timely, rigorous but also sensitive, even sometimes sympathetic, review, allied to efficient and effective processes to take papers through to publication. Readers can expect a commitment to clarity of communication and a content of information that is interesting, topical, valid and hence influentially linked to one of the many facets of the scientific basis, study and practice of Neurosurgery.

 The challenges of developing the mechanisms to achieve the foregoing aims will be approached with an open mind, avoiding (I hope) inadequately informed preconceptions. Medical publishing is changing and Acta must be part of this. Change will be guided by knowledge gained from increasing familiarity with the workings of the Journal, its contributors, the existing and new Editorial Board and referees. Also, the views of the readership of Acta will also be respected, indeed influential. I, therefore, encourage you to communicate to me, now or at any stage in the future, comments and suggestions that will promote the continuing success of our Journal.

Graham Teasdale